Tactically speaking: India vs Australia

It was a reality check for India. The hosts learnt that control over the midfield alone is not enough and getting things right in the 23-metre circle is crucial.

The flank attacks, the diagonal runs from around 23 metres and the minus passes, all at tremendous pace, put India out of circulation.

Where India won it: The midfield. The control was admirable despite the heat generated by the Australians. Arjun Halappa and Sardar Singh were admirably cool under pressure. The plethora of moves and unchecked runs on either flanks proved our midfield play was admirable.

Where australia won it: Sheer domination. The defence saw through India’s deep flank runs and crosses. Hard tackling and good marking of India’s forwards in the circle had them enjoying supremacy.

Sparklers: Luke Doerner, Glenn Turner, Arjun Halappa Duds: Sandeep Singh

In the final analysis: Shivendra Singh’s suspension showed on the forwardline. India seemed starved of substitutions as Gurvinder Chandi was no patch on the speedy Shivendra. Still, India could have done themselves a favour by slackening the pace and shifting from the regulation flank runs which were becoming monotonous.

Australia showed the way with runs that almost touched the backline, followed by a minus pass. The angular passes were too difficult for the Indian defence to handle. The other factor is speed: why try to match Australia’s strength when India knew its merits lay elsewhere?